: Link between permanent immunity and viruses remaining dormant in immunoprivileged zones of the body The varicella zoster virus, infection with which typically manifests as chickenpox, has long been known to have two particular

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Link between permanent immunity and viruses remaining dormant in immunoprivileged zones of the body
The varicella zoster virus, infection with which typically manifests as chickenpox, has long been known to have two particular characteristics: For one, it falls into the category of viruses from which the patient recovers and acquires lifelong immunity in the process.
However, even after recovery, the virus may survive in immunoprivileged areas of the human body, i.e. parts of the body in which infection does not trigger a response by the immune system. Occasionally, the virus may re-emerge locally, causing a condition known as shingles.
Similar characteristics have been suggested for the Ebola virus: possibly lifelong immunity in survivors of an infection (though afaik that is not entirely clear yet), and survival in immunoprivileged areas, from where it may re-emerge in the form of post-Ebola virus syndrome.
Is the connection between these two (or lack thereof) sufficiently well understood? Is there an inherent link (for example that the immune system is constantly exposed to minor quantities of the dormant virus leaking from the immunoprivileged areas, not enough to trigger a reinfection but sufficient for the immune system to keep producing antibodies, immunity thus being a result of the dormant virus)?

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